Fears that WW3 could break out have surged, with Britons concerned conscription could return if Russia draws the UK into war. Prime Minister Andy Burnham has been warned that Britain faces an "inevitable" Russian assault on its defence and security in retaliation for the UK's unwavering support for Ukraine.
Security chiefs were put on high alert on Tuesday for a potential attack, either targeting the Prime Minister himself or key military sites. Last year, new military service plans were unveiled by one of the UK's main allies in Europe as a clear sign of preparation for escalating conflicts.
France's military service plan
French President Emmanuel Macron revealed a new national military service plan in November. The move comes as France aims to strengthen its armed forces in response to growing concerns over Russia's threat to European nations beyond the war in Ukraine.
Just last summer, the UK government advised people to prepare for war on British soil. It is advocating for better preparedness for conflict across society, reports the Express.
WW2 conscription age range
Assuming tensions continue to escalate and a new global conflict were to break out, there are some indications of what would occur if the UK went to war. In WW2, conscription was introduced for men aged between 20 and 22 in 1939, up to six months before the actual outbreak of war.
The UK Parliament website states: "During the spring of 1939, the deteriorating international situation forced the British government under Neville Chamberlain to consider preparations for a possible war against Nazi Germany."
Plans for limited conscription applying to single men aged between 20 and 22 were given parliamentary approval in the Military Training Act in May 1939. This required men to undertake six months' military training, and some 240,000 registered for service.
Age range expanded in 1939
However, when war was declared the age range was immediately expanded to include any man aged 18 to 41. It added: "On the day Britain declared war on Germany, 3 September 1939, Parliament immediately passed a more wide-reaching measure. The National Service (Armed Forces) Act imposed conscription on all males aged between 18 and 41 who had to register for service."
The only men who weren't conscripted were those who were medically unfit, or who worked in essential industries like baking, farming, and medicine, which were crucial to the war effort. The report continues: "Those medically unfit were exempted, as were others in key industries and jobs such as baking, farming, medicine, and engineering."
By the close of 1941, women and "all childless widows" aged between 20 and 30 were summoned – while men up to the age of 51 were drafted for military service. Even those aged 52 to 60 were required to participate in "some form of military service."
In 2024, Grant Shapps, who was then Defence Secretary, stated that we are "moving from a post-war to a pre-war world."
